Βέροια (Beroia)
Beroia
Berea
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 2 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The proper noun Beroia refers to Berea, an ancient city located in the Roman province of Macedonia. Situated near Pella and at the foot of Mount Bermius, this settlement is mentioned only twice in the New Testament, both within the narrative of Acts.
Its name is traditionally interpreted as meaning "well watered," a description that likely reflects the region's geography and agricultural fertility. In Acts 17:10, Paul and Silas travel there after fleeing Thessalonica, where they encounter a community described as more noble-minded than their counterparts in Thessalonica for eagerly receiving the message.
The second reference in Acts 17:13 notes that agitators from Thessalonica followed Paul to Berea, disrupting the peaceful instruction. Despite this external pressure, the initial reception of the gospel in Beroia remains a notable example of careful scriptural examination in early Christian history.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The city of Berea appears in Acts as a place where believers listened to the apostles with an open mind. Paul and Silas arrived there after leaving Thessalonica, seeking a quiet space to share the good news. The people did not accept what they heard blindly. Instead, they checked the Scriptures every day to see if these teachings were true.
This approach offers a gentle model for how we engage with God’s Word today. We are invited to study carefully and let truth settle in our hearts before forming conclusions. It is a reminder that faith grows stronger when it is rooted in honest examination rather than mere tradition or pressure from others.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 2 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- Berea,1×
- Berea1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- Βέροιαν,1×
- Βεροίᾳ1×
Key Verses
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Acts 17:10
The brothers immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Beroea. When they arrived, they went into the Jewish synagogue.
This verse marks the arrival of Paul and Silas, setting the scene for a community that prioritized spiritual truth over political turmoil.
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Acts 17:13
But when the Jews of Thessalonica had knowledge that the word of God was proclaimed by Paul at Beroea also, they came there likewise, agitating the multitudes.
The agitation from Thessalonica here highlights how external pressure can disrupt peace, yet it also underscores the initial integrity of the Berean listeners who had already tested the message.